Gel electrophoresis is one of the most basic and commonly used tools for molecular biology. However, the gel electrophoresis chambers available on the market often lack essential features that would make this daily routine more pleasant. We aim to create a professional grade open and extensible electrophoresis gel box, available as design documents, unassembled, and assembled kits for researchers to obtain and improve upon.

Gel electrophoresis is one of the most basic and commonly used tools for molecular biology. However, the gel electrophoresis chambers available on the market often lack essential features that would make this daily routine more pleasant. We aim to create a professional grade open and extensible electrophoresis gel box, available as design documents, unassembled, and assembled kits for researchers to obtain and improve upon.

−

4/10/09: We really like the way this project is working out -- fundamentally we're making science open and user-friendly. Our first job is to turn the Open Gel Box RFC into reality by making instructions, boxes, and kits available. To facilitate this, Norman and I have founded a DIYbio company, [http://www.pearlbiotech.com Pearl Biotech]. Next up: Open Thermocycler! Interested in designing, testing, contributing? Email tito@pearlbiotech.com

+

4/10/09: We really like the way this project is working out -- fundamentally we're making science open and user-friendly. Our next job is to turn the Open Gel Box RFC into reality by making instructions, boxes, and kits available. To facilitate this, Norman and I have founded a DIYbio company, [http://www.pearlbiotech.com Pearl Biotech].

Project Description/Abstract

Gel electrophoresis is one of the most basic and commonly used tools for molecular biology. However, the gel electrophoresis chambers available on the market often lack essential features that would make this daily routine more pleasant. We aim to create a professional grade open and extensible electrophoresis gel box, available as design documents, unassembled, and assembled kits for researchers to obtain and improve upon.

4/10/09: We really like the way this project is working out -- fundamentally we're making science open and user-friendly. Our next job is to turn the Open Gel Box RFC into reality by making instructions, boxes, and kits available. To facilitate this, Norman and I have founded a DIYbio company, Pearl Biotech.

Active Members

Norman Wang, Tito Jankowski

On-Haitus Members: Jim Hardy, Mackenzie Cowell, Mike Katsevman

Details

4/10/09: Our first design is really pulling its weight in our tests. Norman found some great 64 LED arrays and designed a custom PCR board to get them booted up. We've got a few bugs still to stomp -- and are shipping beta copies to an invite-only crowd by the end of April.

3/15/09: The first design is complete. Once we get the design cleaned up and tested, we'll be posting links to both DIY kits and preassembled gel systems.
The orange/blue filter works really well - check out this pic (left is the professional $100 light filter, middle is the orange/blue combo we went with for our final design):